Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent |
5,251,527
|
Roberts
|
October 12, 1993
|
Guitar slide
Abstract
A guitar slide which includes a generally tubular body having a conical
outer surface tapering downward from a first open finger receiving end to
a second smaller end. The outer surface and the inner surface are both
preferably conical. In the preferred embodiment, the body is machined of
an alloy.
Inventors:
|
Roberts; Jeffrey A. (12851 Floral Ave., Apple Valley, MN 55124)
|
Appl. No.:
|
755788 |
Filed:
|
September 6, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
84/319 |
Intern'l Class: |
G10D 003/00 |
Field of Search: |
84/318,319,315,316,317
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3741065 | Jun., 1973 | Harris | 84/319.
|
4171659 | Oct., 1979 | Tumminaro | 84/319.
|
4790232 | Dec., 1988 | Rosen | 84/319.
|
4969382 | Nov., 1990 | Hein, III et al. | 84/319.
|
Primary Examiner: Gellner; Michael L.
Assistant Examiner: Spyrou; Cassandra
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jaeger; Hugh D.
Claims
I claim:
1. A guitar slide comprising:
a. a solid brass generally tubular body;
b. a first open finger-receiving end on the body;
c. a second end on the body;
d. the body having a first conical section tapering from a first diameter
adjacent to the first end to a second narrower diameter; and,
e. a second section adjacent the second end having a generally constant
diameter.
2. The slide of claim 1 wherein the brass is an alloy made of CDA 360
(35.2% Zinc, 61.5% Copper, and 3.3% Lead).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is a guitar slide having a conical body tapering from
the base to a narrower end at the fingertip.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many types of slides have been used to obtain the slide blues sound on the
guitar. This technique was developed from early one-stringed instruments,
where the player would use a rock or pill bottle as a slider. Guitar
players later used knives or broken off necks of bottles.
Modern guitar players still use wine bottle tops. Various materials have
been used, such as metal socket wrenches or plexi-glass slides. The
various materials give different sounds and feels to the player. Most of
these devices are cylindrical.
Many attempts have been made to improve upon these traditional devices. One
device, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,065 to Harris, issued Jun. 26, 1973,
shows an outwardly tapering body which is wider at the finger tip end.
This device teaches removable inserts for finger sizing. Such outward
tapers are unnatural in that they do not follow the normal human anatomy.
Such a diverging shape gives the opposite feel to the normal human finger.
A convex slide is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,382 to Hein, III, et
al., issued Nov. 13, 1990. The convex exterior is designed for selectively
depressing certain strings. Once again it does not have the naturally
tapered shape of the finger and plays differently from traditional slides.
What is needed is a slide which plays naturally, following the shape of the
human finger, while giving the proper tone without noise or a buzz.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general purposes of the present invention is a guitar slide which
includes a generally tubular body having a conical outer surface tapering
downward from a first open finger receiving end to a second smaller end.
The outer surface and the inner surface are both preferably conical. In
the preferred embodiment, the body is machined of solid brass.
A significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flared shape
which eliminates buzzing on the guitar strings.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is to
provide the appropriate weight of the brass alloyed body to promote
vibrato and make the slide easy to move.
A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is to
provide a minimum diameter at a second end which allows accuracy in
picking out particular strings.
Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is to
provide flared shape which holds the slide on the finger of the user,
while allowing comfort where the radiused edges contact the hand.
Yet a further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is to
provide a structure of the present invention which may be made in various
sizes to fit different fingers or different users.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is to
provide a flared first section on the guitar slide which fits against
adjacent fingers when in use so that the contact with the other finger
maintains the guitar slide in position.
Having thus described the embodiments of the present invention, it is a
principal object hereof to provide a guitar slide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages
of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like
reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and
wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the slide constructed according to
the present invention; and,
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A slide 10, constructed according to the present embodiment, includes a
generally tubular body 12. The body 12 has a first open finger-receiving
end 14 and a second end 16. The second end 16 is preferably open as in the
illustrated embodiment. The body 12 has a generally conical shape. The
body 12 has an outer surface 18 and an inner surface 20. The outer surface
18 and the inner surface 20 taper from first finger-receiving end 14 to
the second end 16, preferably at an angle of 1.degree. 54 minutes. Those
skilled in the art may vary this angle for particular finger fits.
In the illustrated embodiment, the body 12 has a wall thickness at first
finger-receiving end 14 of approximately 0.1525 inches, and a wall
thickness at second end 16 of approximately 0.1125 inches.
The body 12 is preferably machined of solid brass or an alloy thereof. In
the preferred embodiment, a brass alloy constructed of CDA 360 (35.2%
Zinc, 61.5% Copper, and 3.3% Lead). A solid brass body 12 has sufficient
weight to promote vibrato and allow ease of movement along the strings.
The brass alloy provides a good tone on the strings and minimizes noise.
Lighter slides are susceptible to buzzing or noise. Greater control is
given with the brass alloy.
At first finger-receiving end 14 of tubular body 12, there is a flat end
section 22 extending around finger-receiving end 14 having a width of
approximately 0.0625 inches. Tubular body 12 has an inner radiused edge 24
and an outer radiused edge 26. Edges 24 and 26 preferably have a 0.140
radius. At the second end 16, body 12 has an outer edge 28 which is
machined at a tangent with a 0.047 radius. Body 12 has an inner edge 30
having a full 0.078 radius as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the preferred
embodiment, the body 12 is approximately 2.5 inches long.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1
where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described.
MODE OF OPERATION
In the preferred embodiment, the body 12 has a first section 32 which
tapers from the thickness described at finger-receiving end 14 to the
narrower thickness. The body 12 has a second section 34 which has a
constant thickness between section 32 and second end 16. In one preferred
embodiment, outer surface 18 tapers through first section 32, and is
generally constant in diameter through second section 34.
The structure of the present invention has many advantages over prior art
devices. The flared shape eliminates buzzing on the guitar strings. The
weight of the brass alloyed body promotes vibrato and makes it easy to
move.
The minimum diameter at the second end 16 allows accuracy in picking out
particular strings.
The flared shape holds the slide 10 on the finger of the user, while
allowing comfort where the radiused edges 24 and 26 contact the hand.
The structure of the present invention may be made in various shapes to fit
different fingers or different users. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment with the flared outer surface 18 and cylindrical inner surface
20, common diameters are 0.6875, 0.750, 0.8125, 0.875, 0.9375, and 1
inches.
The flared first section 32 of slide 10 fits against the adjacent finger
when in use so that the contact with the other finger maintains the slide
10 in position. Prior art cylindrical devices or outwardly tapered devices
would be prone to slide off the finger when contacting adjacent fingers.
Flared first section 32 fits nicely against adjoining fingers for a secure
fit.
Various modifications can be made to the present invention without
departing from the apparent scope hereof.
Top